pre-design phase schematic design phase construction documents phase design development phase construction phase occupancy phase
West Bend A Mutual Insurance Company: The Silver Lining

CASE STUDY: WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
————————  2005  ———————— ————————  2006  ———————— ————————  2007  ———————— ————————  2008  ————————
JAN—MAR   APR—JUN   JUL—SEP   OCT—DEC JAN—MAR   APR—JUN   JUL—SEP   OCT—DEC JAN—MAR   APR—JUN   JUL—SEP   OCT—DEC JAN—MAR   APR—JUN   JUL—SEP   OCT—DEC


timeline | construction documents (apr 2006–dec 2006)



WEST BEND'S CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE

West Bend’s business background was a benefit to the design team and general contractor. The company has an expert on building envelopes, windows, flashings, gutters and roofing on staff because they write insurance policies on construction projects. The design team consulted with in-house staff to determine best practices and to avoid repeating mistakes made on the original building.

The general contractor, C.G. Schmidt, put the mechanical, electrical and plumbing work out to bid when the construction documents were 80 to 90 percent complete and integrated its subcontractors into the design team.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PHASE

In this phase, the design documents approved during the schematic design phase are developed into comprehensive construction drawings. Construction documentation includes all the drawings and specifications needed to obtain required building permits and contractor bids. These drawings become part of the builder’s contract and will be used to construct the building. A typical set of drawings includes architectural drawings as well as drawings that show the mechanical systems, the electrical and plumbing diagrams, site and landscaping drawings, and design drawings for special systems such as commercial kitchens.


CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION PHASE STEPS:

  1. Refine lighting design
    Confirm the controls strategy for the lighting design with the engineering team. Check the illumination level looking for consistency and building areas that are too bright or too dark. Outdoor lighting should be refined to ensure that efficient sources are used and lighting levels are appropriate.
  2. Develop envelope details
    Document energy performance by showing thermal performance (R-value and U-factor) on the drawings and/or defining it in the specifications.
  3. Refine glazing performance
    Include energy performance criteria in the window and glazed door schedules to better integrate energy efficiency into the documents.
  4. Review mechanical design
    Ask the mechanical consultant to document that the specified systems and equipment meet the performance goals for the project. Coordinate the building systems by reviewing locations of lighting, mechanical diffusers, distribution, thermostats, controls and other equipment.
  5. Review specifications
    Carefully check that the specifications include requirements for minimum indoor air quality performance, outdoor lighting, lighting controls, control systems for monitoring sensors and computer monitors, glazing performance, air barrier performance, insulation requirements, and mechanical efficiency requirements as determined during schematic phase of project.
  6. Document performance
    Gather information about the energy design and make sure that all relevant features are clear to the team member responsible for construction.